Vanda plant named &#39;SPCDW1711&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Vanda plant named ‘SPCDW1711’ which is characterized by large flowers with a distinct color contrast between the upper and lower half of the flower, with a purple dorsal sepal and purple lateral petals which is contrasted by dark greyed-purple lateral sepals, lateral sepals which fade lighter towards the margins to reveal dark greyed-purple reticulate veining, a labellum with a very dark greyed-purple central lobe and yellow-green lateral lobes which are radially striped with red-purple, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Community Plant Variety Rights application number 2018/0176, filed Jan. 16, 2018, which is herein incorporated by reference.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Vanda spp. Jones ex R. Br.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Vanda disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘SPCDW1711’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: The new Vanda plant, ‘SPCDW1711’, is the result of a planned breeding program. ‘SPCDW1711’ originated as a seedling from the controlled pollination of Vanda ‘QT’ (not patented), the seed parent, with Vanda ‘S60’ (not patented), the pollen parent. Both parents were developed by, and are owned by, the inventor and were never commercially released. The crossing was made by the inventor in his research greenhouse in Bangphra, Thailand in August of 1994.

The new variety was first selected in January of 1999, in a research greenhouse in Bangphra, Thailand belonging to the inventor. After identifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, the inventor continued confidential testing and propagation of ‘SPCDW1711’, assessing stability of the unique characteristics of this variety.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual January of 2011 at a commercial laboratory belonging to the inventor in Bangphra, Thailand. Access to all plants was restricted, as plants were kept in a greenhouse not open to the public, and tissue culture plantlets were in a laboratory belonging to the inventor, and not accessible to the public. Through six subsequent generations, the unique features of this cultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SPCDW1711’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SPCDW1711’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SPCDW1711’ as a new and distinct Vanda cultivar:

-   -   1. Vanda ‘SPCDW1711’ exhibits relatively large flowers borne on         an inflorescence which is carried slightly above the foliage;         and     -   2. Vanda ‘SPCDW1711’ exhibits a distinct color contrast between         the upper half of the flower, comprised of the dorsal sepal and         lateral petals, and the lateral sepals; and     -   3. Vanda ‘SPCDW1711’ exhibits a purple dorsal sepal and purple         lateral petals which are blotched and finely dotted with dark         greyed-purple at the base; and     -   4. Vanda ‘SPCDW1711’ exhibits dark greyed-purple lateral sepals         which fade lighter towards the margins to reveal the dense, dark         greyed-purple reticulate veining; and     -   5. Vanda ‘SPCDW1711’ exhibits a labellum with a very dark         greyed-purple central lobe, and yellow-green lateral lobes which         are radially striped with red-purple.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary plant of ‘SPCDW1711’ grown in a commercial greenhouse in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands. This plant is approximately 6 years old from the time of mericloning, shown planted in an 8 by 2 cm container.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical foliage of ‘SPCDW1711’.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical inflorescence of ‘SPCDW1711’.

FIG. 4 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical flower of ‘SPCDW1711’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements made in August of 2018 describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of six year-old ‘SPCDW1711’ plants grown in a greenhouse in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands. Temperatures were approximately 23 degrees Celsius during the day and 19 degrees Celsius at night. No photoperiodic or chemical treatments were given to the plants. No artificial light was given to the plants.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘SPCDW1711’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

A botanical description of ‘SPCDW1711’ and comparisons with the parents and most similar commercial variety of Vanda are provided below.

-   Plant description:     -   -   Growth habit.—Perennial; monopodial, upright. Single             monopodial leafy stem, with flowers carried above the leaf             plane; inflorescences growing from the leaf axils.         -   Average height from base (plant grown in hanging basket, so             no soil line present) to foliar plane.—42.0 cm.         -   Average height from base (plant grown in hanging basket, so             no soil line present) to top of floral plane.—48.8 cm.         -   Plant spread.—Average of 45.5 cm.         -   Appropriate container size.—8 cm by 2 cm rectangular hanging             basket.         -   Growth rate.—Moderate.         -   Plant vigor.—Moderate.         -   Propagation type.—Meristematic tissue culture propagation             using the base of the leaves.         -   Propagation details.—The time needed from for the start of a             mericlone to get the small plants ready for deflasking is             approximately 24 months under a controlled temperature of             about 26 degrees Celsius. After that period, plants have             matured roots. Plants start to make roots in the last 6             months in flasks. After deflasking they remain in a shaded             and controlled environment.         -   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Plants have             not been observed to be susceptible or resistant to             pathogens and pests common to Vanda.         -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 11             and 12 and temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius; high             tolerance to rain; moderate to high tolerance to wind. -   Root system:     -   -   General.—Moderately to densely rooting; with aerial roots             only.         -   Dimensions, mature roots.—66.4 cm long with a diameter of             0.5 cm, on average.         -   Texture.—Very fleshy; non-fibrous.         -   Color.—Greyed-green, nearest to RHS 192C; root apex is             yellow-green, RHS 148A. -   Stem:     -   -   Branching habit.—Monopodial; no lateral branches present.         -   Number of primary (main) stems per plant.—One.         -   Number of secondary (lateral) branches per plant.—None.         -   Aspect.—Circular, formed by the leaf sheaths.         -   Length.—20.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—1.2 cm.         -   Internode length.—1.1 cm.         -   Luster.—Matte.         -   Attitude, main stem.—Near vertical.         -   Strength.—Very strong.         -   Color, juvenile.—Nearest to in between yellow-green and             green-white, RHS 145D and 157A.         -   Color, mature.—Nearest to in between yellow-green and             green-white, RHS 150D and 157A.         -   Color at internodes.—Greyed-orange, nearest to a mixture of             RHS 164B and 164C.         -   Pubescence.—Glabrous. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Distichous.         -   Dimensions.—26.5 cm long, excluding the sheath, and 2.6 cm             wide.         -   Shape of blade.—Ligulate.         -   Aspect.—Moderately to strongly carinate and lightly curled             downward.         -   Apex.—Unequal praemorse.         -   Base.—Sheathing.         -   Sheath dimensions.—3.3 cm long and 1.6 cm wide, on average.         -   Sheath color.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146C.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster of adaxial surface.—Glabrous,             smooth, and matte.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster of abaxial surface.—Glabrous,             smooth, and matte.         -   Color.—Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Yellow-green,             nearest to RHS 144B; darker towards the apex, nearest to in             between RHS 144A and 146C. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface             — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144B; darker towards the             apex, nearest to in between RHS 144A and 146B. Mature             foliage, adaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS 137B;             margined a darker shade of green, nearest to RHS NN137B.             Mature foliage, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to             in between RHS 144A and 146B; margined a darker shade of             green, nearest to RHS NN137B.         -   Venation.—Pattern — Parallel. Color, adaxial surface —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B. Color, abaxial surface —             Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 144A and 144B.         -   Petiole.—No petioles present; leaves sessile. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Axially placed raceme.         -   Natural flowering season.—Autumn into winter.         -   Time to flower.—Approximately 10 months.         -   Flowers per inflorescence.—Average of 13.         -   Flowers per plant.—8 open flowers and 5 flower buds.         -   Inflorescence height.—Approximately 25.0 cm (measured from             base of lowest flower to top of upper flower).         -   Inflorescence diameter.—Approximately 20.8 cm.         -   Peduncle.—Dimensions — Approximately 43.5 cm long and 0.7 cm             wide. Attitude — Generally at a 25 degree angle to lateral             branch axis. Strength — Moderately strong. Texture and             luster — Glabrous and malle. Color — Yellow-green, nearest             to in between RHS 144A and 144B. -   Bud:     -   -   Length.—Average of 1.8 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average horizontal diameter is 1.7 cm; the             vertical diameter is 1.8 cm.         -   Shape.—Cubic, with a deltoid apex which is pointed downward.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster.—Glabrous, smooth and matte.         -   Color, upper surface.—Yellow-green, nearest to in between             RHS 145B and 145C, and suffused with purple, nearest to RHS             N77D.         -   Color, lower surface.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146D. -   Flower:     -   -   Flower type.—Zygomorphic (orchidaceous), typical shape for             the genus Vanda.         -   Flowering habit.—Moderately free flowering.         -   Shape.—Zygomorphic, single; consisting of three sepals and             three petals, one of which is transformed into a labellum;             the two lateral petals strongly overlap the dorsal and             lateral sepals; lateral sepals slightly overlap one another.         -   Attitude.—Flowers are outward-facing to slightly nodding.         -   Vertical height.—Approximately 9.9 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 9.8 cm.         -   Depth.—Approximately 3.8 cm.         -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.         -   Lastingness.—3 weeks, on average.         -   Persistent.—Self-cleaning.         -   Petals.—Quantity of Petals — Three unfused petals; two             conventional petals and one labellum. Arrangement — One             lateral petal on each side. Length — Approximately 4.9 cm.             Width — Approximately 4.4 cm. Shape — Broad ovate. Apex —             Obtuse. Base — Cuneate. Margin — Entire; moderately             undulated. Pubescence, texture and luster of upper surface —             Glabrous, velvety and matte. Pubescence, texture and luster             of lower surface — Glabrous, velvety and matte. Color when             opening, upper surface — Purple, nearest to a mixture of RHS             N75A, N78C and N78D, and proximally suffused with             greyed-yellow, nearest to in between RHS 161B and 161C; the             base of the petals are irregularly blotched and finely             dotted with a mixture of red-purple to greyed-purple, RHS             59A and 187A. Color when opening, lower surface — Purple,             nearest to a mixture of RHS N75A and N78D, and becoming             yellow-green at the base, nearest to RHS 145D. Color when             fully opened, upper surface — Purple, nearest to a mixture             of RHS N75A, N78C and N78D, and proximally suffused with             greyed-yellow, nearest to RHS 161B; the base of the petals             are irregularly blotched and finely dotted greyed-purple,             RHS 187A. Color when fully opened, lower surface — Purple,             nearest to a mixture of RHS N75A and N78D, and becoming             yellow-green at the base, nearest to RHS 145D. Fading, upper             surface — Not fading. Fading, lower surface — Not fading.             Venation — Densely reticulate on the upper surface; only the             main vein is visible on the lower surface. Venation color,             fully opened, upper surface — Purple, nearest to a mixture             of RHS N75A, N78C and N78D, and proximally suffused with             greyed-yellow, nearest to RHS 161B; the base of the petals             are irregularly blotched and finely dotted greyed-purple,             RHS 187A; main vein is purple, nearest to RHS NN78D.             Venation color, fully opened, lower surface — Purple,             nearest to a mixture of RHS N75A and N78D, and becoming             yellow-green at the base, nearest to RHS 145D; main vein is             purple, nearest to RHS NN78D.         -   Labellum.—Shape — Three-lobed; the shape of the lateral             lobes is obovate, and the aspect is involute; the shape of             the central lobe Is broad ovate, and the aspect is             moderately convex. Length — Central lobe — Approximately             2.0 cm. Lateral lobes — Approximately 0.8 cm. Width —             Central lobe — Approximately 1.5 cm at the base; 1.3 at the             apex. Lateral lobes — Approximately 0.7 cm. Apex — Central             lobe — Obtuse. Lateral lobes — Obtuse. Base — Central lobe —             Cuneate. Lateral lobes — Cuneate. Margin — Central lobe —             Entire; strongly undulated. Lateral lobes — Entire; not             undulated. Texture and luster of upper surface — Central             lobe — Glabrous, velvety, and matte with a glossy apex.             Lateral lobes — Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Texture and             luster of lower surface — Central lobe — Glabrous, velvety,             and matte with a moderately glossy apex. Lateral lobes —             Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Color when opening, upper             surface — Central lobe — Nearest to a mixture of red-purple             and greyed-purple, RHS 59A and N186D, and becoming             greyed-purple distally, nearest to RHS N186C. Lateral lobes             — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 151D, and radially striped             red-purple, nearest to a mixture of RHS 59A and 59B. Color             when opening, lower surface — Central lobe — Nearest to             greyed-purple, N186D, and becoming darker, distally, nearest             to RHS 187A. Lateral lobes — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS             151D, and radially striped greyed-red, nearest to a mixture             of RHS 178A and 178B. Color when fully opened, upper surface             — Central lobe — Greyed-purple, nearest to in between RHS             N186D and 187B, and becoming darker, distally, nearest to             RHS N186C. Lateral lobes — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS             151D, and radially striped red-purple, nearest to a mixture             of RHS 59A and 59B. Color when fully opened, lower surface —             Central lobe — Purple, nearest to RHS N79B, and becoming             greyed-purple, distally, nearest to RHS 187A. Lateral lobes             — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 151D, and radially striped             greyed-red, nearest to a mixture of RHS 178A and 178B.             Fading, upper surface — Not fading. Fading, lower surface —             Not fading. Venation — No visible venation. Venation color,             fully opened, upper surface — Central lobe — No visible             venation. Lateral lobes — No visible venation. Venation             color, fully opened, lower surface — Central lobe — No             visible venation. Lateral lobes — No visible venation.         -   Callosities.—Dimensions — 1.6 cm long and 0.6 cm wide, on             average. Color — Nearest to in between purple and             greyed-purple, RHS N79A and 187A, and fading to             greyed-purple towards the apex, nearest to RHS N186B.         -   Spurs.—Quantity — Average of 1. Length — Approximately             0.5 cm. Diameter — Approximately 0.4 cm. Vertical height —             Approximately 0.7 cm, at the base. Shape — Short triangular;             flattened. Apex — Bluntly acute. Base — Broad cuneate.             Pubescence, texture and luster — Glabrous, smooth, and             matte. Color — Greyed-green, nearest to RHS 196B, and             radially striped with a darker shade of greyed-green,             nearest to RHS 195B.         -   Sepals.—Quantity — Average of 3 unfused sepals. Arrangement             — One dorsal sepal and two lateral sepals. Length — Dorsal             sepal — Approximately 5.0 cm. Lateral sepals — Approximately             5.8 cm. Width — Dorsal sepal — Approximately 4.5 cm. Lateral             sepals — Approximately 6.3 cm. Shape — Dorsal sepal — Broad             ovate to broad oblong. Lateral sepals — Reniform. Apex —             Dorsal sepal — Obtuse. Lateral sepals — Obtuse. Base —             Dorsal sepal — Cuneate. Lateral sepals — Cuneate. Margin —             Dorsal sepal — Entire; moderately finely undulated. Lateral             sepals — Entire; not undulated. Pubescence, texture and             luster, upper surface — Dorsal sepal — Glabrous, velvety,             and matte. Lateral sepals — Glabrous, velvety, and matte.             Pubescence, texture and luster, lower surface — Dorsal sepal             — Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Lateral sepals — Glabrous,             velvety, and matte. Color when opening, upper surface —             Dorsal sepal — Purple, nearest to a mixture of RHS 77B, N78C             and N78D; base is greyed-purple, nearest to RHS186. Lateral             sepals — Greyed-purple, nearest to in between RHS 183A and             N186C; fading to a lighter shade of greyed-purple towards             the lower margins, nearest to RHS 183C, and becoming purple             towards the upper margins, nearest to a mixture of RHS N75A             and N78D. Color when opening, lower surface — Dorsal sepal —             Nearest to a mixture of purple and purple-violet, RHS N78D,             N80B and N80C. Lateral sepals — Lower half of sepals are             colored greyed-yellow, nearest to RHS 161A, with             greyed-orange reticulate veining, nearest to in between RHS             177B and 177C; upper half of the lateral sepals is colored             purple, nearest to RHS N75A. Color when fully opened, upper             surface — Dorsal sepal — Purple, nearest to a mixture of RHS             77B, N78C and N78D; base is greyed-purple, nearest to             RHS186C; finely dotted red-purple towards the base, RHS 71B.             Lateral sepals — Nearest to in between greyed-purple and             brown, RHS N186C and 200B but closest to N186C; becoming             greyed-red towards the lower margins, nearest to RHS 182B,             with greyed-purple reticulate veining, nearest to RHS 183A;             becoming a lighter shade of greyed-purple towards the upper             margins, nearest to RHS 181D, and dotted greyed-purple,             nearest to RHS 183A. Color when fully opened, lower surface             — Dorsal sepal — Nearest to a mixture of purple and             purple-violet, RHS N78D and N80B. Lateral sepals —             Greyed-orange, nearest to RHS 176B, and suffused with             greyed-purple towards the upper margin, nearest to RHS 186C.             Fading, upper surface — Not fading. Fading, lower surface —             Not fading. Venation — Densely reticulate. Venation color,             fully opened, upper surface — Dorsal sepal — Purple, nearest             to a mixture of RHS 77B and N78C; base is greyed-purple,             nearest to RHS N186C; finely dotted red-purple towards the             base, RHS 71B. Lateral sepals — Nearest to in between             greyed-purple and brown, RHS N186C and 200B but closest to             N186C; becoming greyed-red towards the lower margins,             nearest to RHS 182B, with greyed-purple reticulate veining,             nearest to RHS 183A; becoming a lighter shade of             greyed-purple towards the upper margins, nearest to RHS             181D, and dotted greyed-purple, nearest to RHS 183A.             Venation color, fully opened, lower surface — Dorsal sepal —             Purple-violet, nearest to RHS N80B. Lateral sepals —             Greyed-orange, nearest to RHS 176B, and suffused with             greyed-purple towards the upper margin, nearest to RHS 186C.         -   Pedicels.—Length — Approximately 6.8 cm. Diameter —             Approximately 0.5 cm. Attitude — Approximately 85 degree             angle to peduncle axis. Strength — Moderate. Texture —             Glabrous, axially angled with 5 “ribs”, axially twisted (due             to resupination). Luster — Glossy. Color — Purple, nearest             to RHS N78B, and fading to a lighter shade of purple towards             the proximal end, nearest to RHS N75A.         -   Bract.—Quantity — One bract present at the base of each             pedicel. Shape — Broad ovate; folded around the base of each             pedicel. Dimensions — Average of 2.0 cm long and 1.8 cm             wide. Apex — Broad, bluntly acute. Base — Broad cuneate.             Margins — Entire. Color, inner surface — Yellow-green,             nearest to RHS 145A, and suffused and veined purple at the             base, nearest to RHS 178B. Color, outer surface —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145A, and suffused and veined             purple at the base, nearest to RHS 178B. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length — Approximately 0.8 cm. Diameter —             Approximately 0.7 cm. Color — Greyed-yellow, nearest to RHS             160B; base is purple, nearest to RHS N77B.         -   Ovary.—Position — Inferior. Diameter — Approximately 0.2 cm.             Color — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D.         -   Pollinia color.—Yellow-orange, nearest to RHS 14A. -   Seed and fruit: No fruit and seed production has been detected to     date.

COMPARISON WITH THE PARENT PLANTS

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1711’ differ from the Vanda seed parent, ‘QT’ (not patented), by the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘SPCDW1711’ ‘QT’ Rate of growth. Slower than ‘QT’. Faster than ‘SPCDW1711’. Plant size. Larger than ‘QT’. Smaller than ‘SPCDW1711’. Quantity of flowers Fewer flowers than More flowers than per inflorescence. ‘QT’. ‘SPCDW1711’. Flower size. Larger than ‘QT’. Smaller than ‘SPCDW1711’. General coloration Distinct color contrast No such distinct color of the petals and between the upper contrast between the upper sepals when fully half of the flower, and lower half of the flower. opened. comprised of the dorsal sepal and lateral petals, and the lateral sepals.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1711’ differ from the Vanda pollen parent, Vanda ‘S60’ (not patented), by the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘SPCDW1711’ ‘S60’ Vigor; rate of Easier to propagate and More difficult to propagate growth. faster growing than and slower growing than ‘S60’. ‘SPCDW1711’. Growth habit. More compact than Less compact than ‘S60’. ‘SPCDW1711’. Flower size. Smaller than ‘S60’. Larger than ‘SPCDW1711’. Inflorescence Shorter than ‘S60’. Taller than ‘SPCDW1711’. height. General coloration Colored darker. Colored lighter. of the petals and sepals when fully opened.

COMPARISON WITH THE MOST SIMILAR VANDA CULTIVAR KNOWN TO THE INVENTOR

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1711’ are similar to the cultivar, Vanda ‘SPCDW1102’ (European Community Plant Variety Rights grant number 33691). A comparison of ‘SPCDW1711’ with Vanda ‘SPCDW1102’ is described in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Characteristic ‘SPCDW1711’ ‘SPCDW1102’ General coloration Distinct color contrast Distinct color contrast of the petals and between the upper half of between the upper half of sepals when the flower, comprised of a the flower, comprised of a fully opened. purple dorsal sepal, purple dorsal sepal, purple purple lateral petals which lateral petals, and dark are lightly suffused greyed-purple lateral greyed-yellow, and dark sepals. All petals and greyed-purple lateral sepals are heavily suffused sepals. with greyed-yellow Occurrence of No spots present. Spots present. colored spots on the dorsal sepal. Occurrence of Less densely spotted. More densely spotted. colored spots on the lateral sepals. Occurrence of Base of the petals are Entire petals are densely colored spots on irregularly blotched and blotched and dotted. the lateral petals. finely dotted greyed- purple. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Vanda plant named ‘SPCDW1711’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 